In recent years rapid advances in our understanding of internal dynamics of deformed salt have been made. New data on long-term rheology and mechanical couplings come from inversion of geomechanical simulations, microstructural studies and laboratory deformation experiments. 3D seismic data and numerical simulation were used for structural analyses of the salt interior. This has generated new hypotheses on the coupling between internal deformation of salt and the evolution of supra-salt sediment architecture.

This work is relevant for fundamental understanding of the dynamics of salt basins, the evolution of hydrocarbon systems, predictions of the long-term performance of nuclear waste repositories in salt, and for the design of storage caverns. We invite contributions to this interdisciplinary field, ranging from 3D seismic studies, numerical and analogue modelling of salt deformation, field studies, microstructural and laboratory studies of salt deformation as well as applied studies, to create an integrative discussion.